2020 has been a challenging year for most of us given the pandemic situation. While there have been many challenges on the healthcare front, cyber security has also gone through a very challenging time in this period. In 2020, the only concerning thing is not the frequency with which the cyber-attacks took place but also the very fact that the threats have significantly increased in volume and at the same time they have become more sophisticated. Organizations, both big and small have come to the realization that cyber security is becoming a major aspect of concern for them. In 2020, an attack took place at a regular interval of 39 seconds and on an average attacks throughout each day was carried out for 2244 times. These alarming numbers have almost forced organization’s hands into using VAPT or Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing.

1. What is VAPT? – The full form of VAPT is Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing and this term is primarily used to describe various security tests. These security tests are specifically designed to help identify threats and vulnerabilities and at the same time also help address vulnerabilities. VAPT can be described as an umbrella term that consists of numerous techniques of testing. Automated vulnerability assessment, penetration testing which are carried out by highly experienced and skilled engineer and red team operations are some of the testing which fall under the purview of VAPT.
2. Comprehensive Ability as a Testing Solution – VAPT has proved to be a comprehensive measure for all organizations. One of the main reason for that is the ability of VAPT to bring two security measures under the same virtual roof which let companies a view their cyber security issues from a much more comprehensive perspective. Automated vulnerability assessment is an excellent way to initiate a defense against threats and at the same time pen testing is also a security measure crucial to the cyber security infrastructure. VAPT allows to bring both of these techniques along with others under a singular virtual roof. VAPT has made it really easier to seek out and deal with vulnerabilities that can prove to be critical.
3. Identifying Gaps in Security Tools – It is always advisable to use a combination of automated and manual testing and assessment to deal with various security threats and to provide holistic protection from a cyber-security perspective. There are however, issues with manual and automated combination as well. Combining automated vulnerability assessment with manual pen tests might still not be enough protection as it might leave an organization’s networking infrastructure open to vulnerabilities. What VAPT essentially does is that it adds a new layer which is most often manual to the already existing ones. This sort of integration is what makes the VAPT stand out from other security tools. VAPT has been specifically designed to significantly reduce the gaps between automated tools. This lets users of VAPT have a very solid and consolidated perspective on threats that are impending.
4. Approach Based on Risk Priority – It is often seen that organizations who have the best of security measures in place have overlooked a crucial step in dealing with vulnerabilities – risk prioritization. The current cyber security landscape has time and again proven that threats are now increasingly becoming more diverse and sophisticated and attackers have also become sufficiently innovative in their approach. Risk prioritization amidst all of this becomes an absolute necessity. An integral part of VAPT, risk prioritization lets you focus on the threats that are more damaging and is in need of immediate attention.
5. Uncovering Loopholes and Misconfiguration – One of the main reason cyber-attacks are successful is because of human error. Trends over the years have shown that attackers mostly choose to exploit vulnerabilities that are due to misconfigurations or coding malpractices. VAPT which is run by a third-party company remains the most convenient and easiest way to spot these vulnerabilities and address them immediately before they provide any sort of success to attackers.
6. Improvement in SDLC – SDLC or Software Development Life Cycle is a methodology that has a constant need to evolve in its effort to respond to new demands that are posed by the market and even to cyber threats. Regular pen-testing as part of the VAPT process which is aligned with the SDLC process is the most holistic method to ensure security. This allows the code along with all the changes to it to pass through various security checks which are designed to identify and spot vulnerabilities significantly earlier than launching a product.
7. Excellent ROI – It is often impossible to pinpoint ROI in the field of cyber security. VAPT has however made it possible to identify that how much money have been saved or how much money one successful attack might have cost. VAPT with its comprehensive approach allows us to know how much money is possible to save by opting for an integrative approach instead of going for testing methods which can be contrasting in nature.
8. Scope for Multiple Application – VAPT can be applied on any asset that has access to internet. It must however be noted that the approach differs from asset to asset and that is what makes it impossible to eliminate the human element from the VAPT process. The human factor in the process helps in opting for the right tools and the right processes which in turn helps to identify the vulnerabilities that affect a networking infrastructure most frequently for each type of asset.
9. Multitude of Tools and Various Applications – The VAPT process consists of a few core components that don’t change across all the assets that are required to be tested. However it is important to note that the VAPT process will be different according to each organization. How the approach and duration is decided is completely dependent on the size of the organization, the amount of data that needs to be processed and the sheer amount of devices and assets that is needed to be tested and scanned.
10. Assistance with Compliance – Organizations are starting to use VAPT more and more. It is being deemed as the most absolute method and the fastest way to achieve compliance with various standards like GDPR, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS. VAPT, even if it were to be conducted just for the purposes of compliance it would still spot significant vulnerabilities which would ultimately aid an organization in keeping their assets safe.

Conclusion

It is safe to say that VAPT is a must if organizations are looking for stable security options and want a more holistic approach towards securing their assets. VAPT not only saves a lot of money but it also provides layers of protection which almost makes it a necessity for organizations.

If you wish to know more and want to deep dive into the domain, may touch-base with us. We can guide you as a CERT-in Empaneled organization.